LEARN

Learn about the history of National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), view the timeline of all previous events, and the themes after they started in 2004, along with images of some previous posters. Find out why this is such an important event for the roadway safety industry and everyone who drives on the roads and in work zones.

History of NWZAW

National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an event that takes place across the United States, with partnerships between state departments of transportation (DOT), national road safety organizations, government agencies, private companies, and individuals.

How did this work zone safety awareness campaign get started?

In 1997, a group of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff members, located in southwestern Virginia, wanted to dedicate a week to raise awareness about work zone safety among all district employees before construction projects picked up during the warmer months. Following the successful promotion of this first event, VDOT brought the idea of raising awareness to other DOTs, and in 1999 the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) began its statewide public awareness campaign, “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

Initiate efforts to raise awareness of the need for more caution when driving through work zones to decrease fatalities and injuries;

Establish and promote a uniform set of safety tips;

The value of training and importance of best practices in regard to work zone safety would be promoted among individuals in the private sector, industry, and roadway workers;

Reach out to both roadway workers and contractors to communicate possible effects of motorists’ behavior in response to traffic delays, and advise on what steps might possibly be taken to lessen negative behavior; and

Outreach efforts would be made to work with entities involved with work zone safety and to form partnerships.

The first official NWZAW kick-off event was held in 2000 in Springfield, Virginia. The site where the kick-off event is held now alternates each year from being hosted in the Washington, D.C., area to different locations across the United States. State transportation departments can submit applications to host the event on those alternate years.

This year, NWZAW is April 9-13. For this 19th year, NWZAW’s kick-off event will be held in Chicago and hosted bythe Illinois Department of Transportation on April 10, and Go Orange Day is on April 11. All are encouraged to wear orange and post photos to help celebrate Go Orange Day.

NWZAW Timeline and Themes

Learn more about all past National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) campaigns. Themes were first used in the NWZAW campaign during the fifth event in 2004. Since then, the executive committee collaborates and decides on the theme each year that will best promote work zone safety.

1997 – VDOT’s Bristol District develops an internal awareness campaign for work zone safety1998 – VDOT launches statewide public awareness campaign1999 – Caltrans initiates "Slow for the Cone Zone" public awareness campaign1999 – ATSSA, FHWA, and AASHTO agree to create National Work Zone Awareness Week2000 – First national event is held in Springfield, Virginia2001 – Second national event is held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.2002 – Third national event is held in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and the National Work Zone Memorial begins traveling to be displayed at the event2003 – Fourth national event is held at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C.2004 – Fifth national event held at Springfield, Virginia, at a work zone site and the first use of a theme for national campaign occurs

Theme: “The Worker's Office Is the Roadway”

2005 – Sixth national event is held on Maryland side of Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project

Theme: “Enforcement: Slow Down or Pay Up”

2006 – Seventh national event held for the first time in the evening on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to highlight the theme of night work

Theme: “Night Work: Working at the Speed of Night”

2007 – Eighth national event is held on Virginia side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project

Theme: “Signs of Change”

2008 – Ninth national event moved to Sacramento, California, which is the first time the national event is held outside the Washington, D.C., area

Theme: “Slow for the Cone Zone”

2009 – Tenth national event is held at Federal Lands Highway work zone across Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Theme: “Drive to Survive, Our Future Is Riding on It”

2010 – New York City hosts 11th national event

Theme: “Work Zones Need Your Undivided Attention”

2011 – 12th national event is held at a road construction site in Beltsville, Maryland

Theme: "Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone."

2012 – The 13th national event is held at a work zone near St. Louis, Missouri